Share

There's no crisis at ISIS: FX's bitingly adult spy comedy Archer is set to return for a third season — and maybe longer. Vulture has learned that negotiations are well under way on a deal to renew the Thursday-night animated half-hour, possibly in time for next week's FX upfront presentation to advertisers. Talks have been going on for a couple weeks now, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Our spies are hinting that the extended negotiations could — and let's underline could — be a sign that FX may be discussing the idea of a multi-year renewal for the Adam Reed–created animated show. There's no guarantee that's what'll happen, but given FX's three-year renewal of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia back in 2008, there's certainly precedent. Whatever shape the deal ultimately takes, it's no surprise that FX wants more Archer: The series did decently in the ratings during its first season, and has only grown during season two. So far, its viewership is up nearly 20 percent since returning in January, and that's despite facing increased comedy competition from NBC's 30 Rock. Archer has also been a critical darling, part of a comedy surge at FX pioneered by Sunny and augmented more recently by Louie and The League. The good news on Archer comes in the wake of FX's Thursday announcement that it was killing Lights Out after one season, as well as a report on Deadline that FX drama Justified is also closing in on a Season 3 pickup.

Our spies are hinting that the extended negotiations could — and let's underline could — be a sign that FX may be discussing the idea of a multi-year renewal for the Adam Reed–created animated show. There's no guarantee that's what'll happen, but given FX's three-year renewal of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia back in 2008, there's certainly precedent. Whatever shape the deal ultimately takes, it's no surprise that FX wants more Archer: The series did decently in the ratings during its first season, and has only grown during season two. So far, its viewership is up nearly 20 percent since returning in January, and that's despite facing increased comedy competition from NBC's 30 Rock. Archer has also been a critical darling, part of a comedy surge at FX pioneered by Sunny and augmented more recently by Louie and The League. The good news on Archer comes in the wake of FX's Thursday announcement that it was killing Lights Out after one season, as well as a report on Deadline that FX drama Justified is also closing in on a Season 3 pickup.